Rattigan-Rohr, Stein, Williams promoted at Elon University

Three senior administrators are taking on new leadership responsibilities as the university develops its next strategic plan.

Elon President Connie Ledoux Book has promoted three members of the university’s senior staff, positioning them to play key roles in the implementation of the next strategic plan that is currently being developed.   

Jean Rattigan-Rohr has been named vice president for access and success, Jeff Stein has been named vice president for strategic initiatives and Randy Williams has been named associate vice president for inclusive excellence and civic engagement.

“These three leaders have long records of service and success, advancing Elon in a multitude of ways,” Book said. “They will take on expanded responsibilities in future development of the university, supporting a more inclusive and supportive environment for students and increasing outreach to our neighbors in Alamance County and the wider region. I look forward to their many contributions in the years ahead.”

Jean Rattigan-Rohr has been named vice president for access and success.
Rattigan-Rohr has served as executive director of community partnerships, director of the Center for Access and Success and professor of education. She will report to President Book and continue her work in support of Elon’s Odyssey Program and two outreach programs, the Elon Academy and the It Takes a Village Project.

Rattigan-Rohr joined Elon's School of Education faculty in 2007 and founded and directs Elon’s It Takes a Village Project, a literacy project for struggling young readers. The Center for Access and Success also includes the Elon Academy, the university's renowned college access program, and the Odyssey Scholars Program for academically talented Elon students with financial need and a drive to be leaders in their communities. Rattigan-Rohr’s research areas include literacy development of traditionally marginalized students, parental involvement and visioning. She presents her research nationally and internationally and is often called upon to speak and share her work. She has many peer-reviewed publications in top education journals, including the Journal of Teacher Education and Education Leadership. She has a doctorate in curriculum and teaching, a master’s degree in special education and a bachelor’s degree in speech language pathology and audiology, all from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Jeff Stein has been named vice president for strategic initiatives.
Stein has served as associate vice president and chief of staff for President Book and President Leo M. Lambert. In his new role, he will report to Book, overseeing creation and implementation of Elon’s next 10-year strategic plan and supporting special projects and partnerships between the university and local and regional governments and organizations. Stein will also oversee Elon’s Office of Cultural and Special Programs.

Stein joined Elon in 2002 serving as associate dean of students and assistant professor of English, teaching literature and creative writing courses, often under the academic service-learning designation. He contributed to development of the Elon Commitment strategic plan and spearheaded the design and development of Elon’s residential campus initiative and the thriving Jewish life program. In 2010 he joined President Lambert’s senior staff, managing operations of the Office of the President and serving as secretary to the board of trustees. Prior to joining Elon, Stein taught English at Colorado State University; worked in Student Affairs at Macalester College, Carleton College and the University of Northern Colorado. Stein has a doctorate in higher education management from the University of Georgia, a master of fine arts degree in creative writing from Colorado State University and a bachelor’s degree from Beloit College.

Randy Williams has been named associate vice president for inclusive excellence and civic engagement.
Williams has served as associate vice president for campus engagement and assistant professor of education. He will report to both Provost Steven House and Vice President for Student Life Jon Dooley, maintaining strong ties to the academic affairs and student life divisions of the university. In his new role, Williams will chair the Provost’s Inclusive Community Team and supervise staff who lead Elon’s new Center for Equity and Inclusive Excellence as well as the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education and the Gender and LGBTQIA Center.

Williams joined Elon in 2014 as presidential fellow, special assistant to the president and dean of multicultural affairs. He previously served as vice president for student affairs and dean of students at North Carolina Wesleyan College, as assistant dean of students at the College of William & Mary and as associate dean of students at Hampden-Sydney College. Williams has a doctorate in educational policy, planning and leadership from the College of William & Mary, a master’s degree in education from Longwood University, and a bachelor’s degree in physics from Hampden-Sydney College.